Yeah. That's why i'm having a bit of a problem reviewing the sound of RU7 on itself, but not in the comparison part

ru7 seems nice but too expensive, what dac would you recommend under $100 ( for iems exclusively)

I own the RU7, Mojo 2 and the DC04 so it's an interesting review. I use the iBasso for portable use when traveling to and from places. The Mojo 2 I use more often but sometimes I want the RU7. I enjoy using both....

Yeah i enjoy using the Mojo and the RU7. The DC04 Pro however. The Mojo 1 just sounds so so much better than the DC04 Pro, to the point i dont think i'd want to use it anymore. What the dc04 pro did, the mojo did better, especially in the bass

I would describe it as natural = tad warmish vs neutral which to me means cool/transparent almost mastering toned.

Don't dismiss it based on cost..(whether that is thinking its too cheap or too expensive...haha) - it's a stellar dongle - which has almost a tube-like analogue cohesion the way it presents..rather than disjointed information at various points around the head....= Fiio BTR7.

Almost like the design guys have brain burn-in from their amazing tube amps and used those as a reference for the cohesion bubble tube emulation side-effect/tonality with RU7...this little thing is masterfully beautiful IMO.

The sound is clearer when you take the case off, I think it has something to do with it overheating.

$290????? Wow, you aint lying its $$$.

It can seem pricey for its size but in many cases it can replace a dac and desktop amp...don't judge it by its size/simplicity...try and get a listen with your gear if you can...it can also stop uprade-itis for a while when you try and luck-out mixing DACs and amps...went that route so long ago...searching for dac/amp 'magic' synergy..this dongle is it...

@Orfik
do you still think it sounds normal without a case?

@gmalik
It sounds great without the case. It doesn't sound normal with the case on, though it still sounds good. But once you listen back and forth the difference is annoyingly noticeable.

This I have to try.....

@Orfik
I can't take it out of the protective case. too tight
Otherwise, burn-in was necessary, both outputs for 48-72 hours. I've been using the balanced output for 3 days and it didn't sound good. I waited 24 hours and heard no change. I waited another 24 hours and since then it has been playing loudly at the same sound level (32.lowgain) and warm, musical, analogue sound level. This isnt placebo effect. NEED BURN IN!

@gmalik
If you push it out from the partly closed end it should come out easily enough. It definitely needs burn-in, mine sounds much better now than it did when I first bought it. And it isn't hard using it without the case.

I own the iBasso and the Cayin. I enjoy their differences

@Orfik
Heart of jesus! You're right! sounds better without a case! My God….
I don't think overheating is the cause. The magnet in the case is the fault in my opinion.

@gmalik
Yeah, it was hard for me to believe at first but it becomes clearer and more organic once the case is off. And you're probably right about it being the magnet.

Do it blind. Get someone to either leave it on off for you... 6-8 times then get back on your results....
Otherwise its expectation bias.

@Lohb
It's not up for debate. You can try it yourself if you like but I'm not arguing about it.

Try it blind and see if you get the same result.....

In this scenario with what you are claiming - seeing the case on or off sets up expectation bias before you listen.

@Lohb
I also experienced the sound quality change when I took the case off. The tone and dynamics have changed. Little bit less analogue signature. I was going to sell the unit, but now I like it. I compared it with a hiby r5II player before and the ru7 didn't sound good. Even without a case, it is better than the r5ii player in terms of dynamics.